Life in danger: Marandi

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Babulal Marandi

Ranchi, March 13: JVM chief Babulal Marandi today claimed that there was a threat to his life, stirring up a hornets’ nest in poll-bound Jharkhand that recently witnessed the murder of Ajsu leader Tileshwar Sahu.

Drawing attention to the security concerns of VIPs and VVIPs in the state, the former chief minister also said that some politicians wanted to eliminate him and had even given the supari for his murder.

“The contract for my murder has already been given. Top politicians are after my life. The (state) government should take this into cognisance,” Marandi, who enjoys Z-plus security, told mediapersons at a hotel in Dumka around 11.30am.

From Dumka, the JVM supremo went to Jamtara district for addressing a rally for the Lok Sabha polls.

When The Telegraph contacted him later in the day, he stuck to his statements. “According to information available with me, some politicians want to kill me and the government should take note of it,” said the Koderma MP.

He added that he had no confidence in the security agencies of the state, but would share all information with central intelligence agencies at the right time.

Ajsu’s Sahu was shot dead at Barhi in Hazaribagh on March 8. Although police maintain that the firebrand leader was killed by Bihar-based shooters employed by PLFI against a supari of Rs 6 lakh, the theory that white-collared politicians are involved is doing the rounds too.

Marandi, who also figures on the Maoist hit list, has his own scars inflicted by the rebels. In October 2007, his son Anup, along with 17 others, were gunned down by Maoists at a cultural programme at Chilkhari village in Giridih district.

When contacted, director-general of police Rajeev Kumar said he was not aware of Marandi’s assertions, adding that the former chief minister had been given adequate security in keeping with norms.

“The security cover of all prominent politicians going for field visits, especially during elections, is being strictly monitored. A special cell is functional at the Special Branch to regularly review threat perceptions,” the DGP added.

Sources in the police headquarters said a bullet-proof car, commandos and escort parties during field visits were at the JVM leader’s beck and call. “If the former chief minister reveals the exact details about the threat to his life, state police can take steps accordingly,” said a senior police officer, requesting anonymity.